Freed’s Shoe Repair Shop

Freed’s Shoe Repair Shop was established by Russian immigrant Abraham Freed (c.1882-1947) during the First Red Scare. In May 1909, Abraham immigrated to the United States via New York and then sent for his wife, Goldie Berry Freed (1886-1954), and their children, Jacob (1908-1999) and Rebecca (1910-2000), the following year. Upon their arrival, Abraham likely met his newborn daughter for the first time. Abraham and Goldie later than three more children: Hyman (1916-1994), Meyer (b. 1919), and Molly (1923-2020).

By 1911, Abraham worked as a shoemaker for Wilson “Wilse” Winn Martin (1873-1934), a farmer and businessman who most famously sold shoes, harnesses, hides, and tallow at his shops on Hampton and Lady streets. Around 1918, Abraham opened his own shoe repair store at 1117 Washington Street, and then, around 1920, he moved to 1108 Washington Street and entered into partnership with his brother Zelig (1881-1951). Together they operated Freed’s Shoe Repair Shop until Abraham’s death in 1947. Following Zelig’s death, Zelig’s widow, Bessie Shapiro Freed (1887-1954), briefly managed the store until closing the business in 1952.